Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada also went to past 100 Test wickets in Bloemfontein while opening batsman Dean Elgar was named man of series of hitting two centuries in the series.

“Congratulations to the Proteas on their excellent start to the season,” commented CSA Acting Chief executive, Thabang Moroe.

“This is a wonderful start for our new national coach, Ottis Gibson, as he prepares for a tough season that includes Test series against both India and Australia. There is no doubt that he and our captain, Faf du Plessis, are already establishing an excellent leadership partnership.

“Congratulations are also due to Dean Elgar on being the leading Test runs scorer in the current calendar year and also to Kagiso Rabada on being the leading wicket-taker.

“Kagiso also achieved the notable feat of reaching the landmark of 100 Test wickets in only 22 Test matches which makes him the joint third quickest South African, along with Allan Donald and Hugh Tayfield, with only Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn being ahead of him on the South African all-time list.

“It is the third time he has taken 10 wickets in a Test match and the maturity he has shown in leading the attack in the absence of several of our senior bowlers has been something very special.

“There have been many other highlights including Hashim Amla taking his number of Test centuries to 28 and the excellent debuts of our new caps, Aiden Markram and Andile Phehlukwayo.

“We can certainly look forward to a very exciting season of international cricket,” concluded Mr. Moroe.